Cooling coil



March 27, 1934. v. R. ROSTEK COOLING COIL Filed Aug. 25, 1955 Ll.' LLI L-LI lll s INVENTOR Et. 41. i

ATToRNEve r WITNESS:

Patented Mar. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved cooling coil for various fluids preferably beer on tap, and while it can be installed in bars of restaurants and similar places and in fountains for cooling various drinks, it is possible to install it in electrical refrigerators, where it is possible to connect the refrigerators to the water supply.

It is one of the purposes of the invention to provide a cooling coil unit, wherein a complete cooling unit may be made up of two or more sections, and in this instance the outlet of one section can be connected to the inlet of an adjacent section by means of return bends, it being possible to install the cooling coil in any suitable manner (not shown) in a bar, fountain or the like, whereby any 'suitable cooling medium such as water ice, dry ice or the like may surround the various tubes of a single section, or around the tubes of a plurality of sections constituting a unit. l

Another purpose is to provide, in a cooling coil, two or more rows of tubes connecting opposite heads, there being passages of communication between the various rows of tubes, whereby the fluid to be cooled may have a continuous ow through the various tubes.

Another purpose is to provide an improved cooling coil, wherein the opposed heads of the coil may be opened, so that it is possible to clean out the various tubes from end to end, and in doing so have vision through the tubes in order to insure that they are clean.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a cooling coil, wherein each head comprises a pair of head plates, one rigidly and permanently secured to the various rows of tubes, the other being removable, in order to 'have access to the interior of the tubes for cleaning purposes.

A further purpose is to provide in a cooling coil an enlarged inlet tube with a smaller perforated tube concentrically positioned within it which may be termed a distributor, since its wall is perforated throughout, so that the fluid, preferably beer, as it percolates through the perforations, on account of the carbonic gas therein will foam to a maximum highest degree, and on account of the beer being in a thin light tubular sheet passing between the distributor wall and the wall of the inlet tube, the beer will more.

readily cool. Also due to the distributor termin ating a substantial distance from the lower end of the inlet tube in a closed end, the beer or other fluid upon entrance into the distributor striking the closed end with force, the fluid tends to foam.

up, and particularly so where it is beer being cooled, it being possible, in the manufacture of this cooling coil to increase or decrease the number of perforations in the distributor.

A still further purpose is to provide a spiral rib of substantial length on the distributor for the purpose of dividing or separating the thin light foamy fluid such as beer, to more or less retard the passage of the iiuid between the wall of the distributor and the wall of the inlet tube, it being a still further purpose to provide a removable closure on the lower end of the distributor to permit the distributor to be more readily cleaned.

It is to be understood that the particulars herein given are in no way limitative, and that while still keeping within the scope of the invention, any desired modification of details and proportions may be made in the construction of the appliance according to circumstances.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts to be hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawing and claimed.

In the drawingz- Figure l is a view in elevation of the improved cooling coil as comprising two sections which are connected through the medium of a return bend.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View on line 2--2 of Figure 4 through one of the sections, showing the two heads in section and illustrating the improved distributor located in the inlet tube of the cooling coil.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3 3 of Figure 2, showing the passages of communication between the various tubes of 'the section of cooling coil. v

Figure 4 is a sectional View on line 4 4 of Figure 2, also showing the passage of communication between the lower portions of the cooling tubes.

Figure 5 is a view of the distributor tube.

rReferring to 'the drawing'l identifies the cooling coil as a whole, which may be constructed of any suitable material preferably Monel metal or stainless steel, on account yof its strength and durability, and also on account of being immune to oxidation or corrosion.

Each section of the cooling coil comprises opposite heads 2 and 3 and connecting tubes 4 between the heads. rlhese tubes are constructed of relatively thin metal, preferably monel or stainless steel, though it is possible to construct them of tin, of such gauge as will enable the tubes to retain their cylindrical shape, even though they receive relatively severe useage. However if constructed of tin of the proper gauge to withstand such usage and they happen to be distorted or dented they can be straightened and retinned or replaced by new ones. The reason for constructing the tubes 4 of relatively thin Monel metal or stainless steel, is to obviate denting of the walls of the tubes and to avoid oxidation or corrosion. The reason for making the walls oi the tubes relatively thin is to enable temperature derived from wet ice or dry ice or any other cooling medium to penetrate the tubes, for cooling the fluid passing through the coil.

The opposite heads 2 and 3, each consist of plates 5 and. 6. the latter having openings 7, in which the ends of the tubes 4 are secured in any suitable manner. The metal identified at 8 of the plates 6 of both heads between certain alt rnate ends of the tubes 4 is cut away causing passages 9 to be formed. These passages 9 provide for communication alternately with certain of the ends of the tubes 4 to permit of a circulation oi the iluid to be cooled from the inlet of a section of the coil unit to the outlet of the section.

The plates 5 and 6 are fastened together by means of suitable bolts 10 and nuts 11 to insure a rigid solid head. However before bolting the plates 5 and 6 together gaskets l2 corresponding i shape to the plates are interposed between the plates 5 and 6 to insure against escape of the fluid such as beer or the like in passing through the section of coil unit. Also connecting at opposite ends with the plates 5 is an inlet tube 13. This tube 13 is larger in diameter than any of the tubes Ll, and engaged into the inlet end 'le of the tube 13 is a distributor 15, one end of which has a ange 16. This flange 16 engages in a recess 1'? of one of the plates 6, to hold the distributor concentric with and in spaced relation to the inlet tube 13. In order to retain the distributor concentric spaced. relation to the inlet tube 13 a spiral rib 18 is formed exteriorly of the distributor. rIhis spiral rib acts as a divider or separator for the uid in the space 19 between the distributor and the wall of the tube 13. Furthermore this rib engages the wall of the tube 13 and in addition to dividing or substantially separating the fluid also acts to more or less retard the iiuid in its, passage and thereby prevent too rapid ilow of the iluid. The distributor enters the inlet tube lf3- for a distance substantially two thirds the length of the inlet tube. The wall of the distributor is perforated substantially throughout its length as at 20. The inner end of the distributor is closed by a cap or cover 21 which has diametrically opposite hooked lugs 22, and

. surrounding the outer circumference of the distributor and integral therewith is a rib or collar 23 with which the hooked lugs of thecap or cover 2l engage so as to hold the cap or cover securely fastened on the inner end of the distributor.

This integral rib or collar 23 has diametrically opposite cut away portions 24 to allow passage of the hooked lugs. After the lugs pass through the cut away portions, the cap or cover 2l may be given a partial rotation to cause the hooieed lugs to slide on the rib 23, and where these lugs slide the rib is slightly beveled on its radial wall to cause an impinging of the lugs on the rib. In other words the further the cap or cover 21 is given a partial rotation the tighter the cover is secured in place on account of the bevels.

The plate 5 to which the huid inlet is connected has an opening 25 into which a nipple 26 is threaded. The nipple 26 nts closely into the distributor, and threaded to the nipple is a sleeve 27 to which a pipe 28 is connected by means of a coupling 29. This pipe 28 may connect to any suitable source of supply of the fluid, preferably beer, to be cooled.

A nipple 30 is threaded into an opening 31 of the other plate 5 of the head 3 of the cooling coil, there being a. sleeve 32 threaded to the nipple 3o, and connected to the sleeve 32 by means of a union or coupling 33 is a pipe 34. Where there are two sections to constitute a multiple section cooling coil, as in Figure 1 a return .bend 35 is connected to the sleeve 32 and in turn .is connected to the sleeve 27 of the inlet of an adjoining section, so that after the fluid such as beer passes through the tubes 4 of one section the fluid may pass into an adjoining section where the pipe 34 constitutes an outlet, and therefore may connect in any suitable manner with a spigot (not shown) of a bar or fountain or the like.

The fluid preferably beer passes from the source of supply through the pipe 28 into the distributor, and such luid may be more or less under pressure so as to be forced up to and for passage through the cooling coil. The fluid such as beer enters the distributor and upon striking the closed end of the distributor, foams, therefore percolates through the perforations 20 and out into and through the passage 19 along the spiral rib 18 in a highly foaming condition, thereby receiving its initial cooling, and then from the inlet pipe 13 through the plurality of tubes 4,y and due to the walls of the tubes 4 being relatively thin the fluid is easily and very quickly cooled. It is obvious that the carbonio gas in the beer or other fountain drink causes the fluid to more easily foam. With relatively flat beer passing through this type of cooling coil it is possible to refreshen the uid. This cooling coil can be used in any position, and while it is designed preferably-for cooling beer, as well as other drinking beverages carbonio or otherwise, it is possible to use it as a heating coil in hot water systems, in which case heat is applied to the various tubes 4 as well as the inlet tube 13 in lieu of the cooling medium.

One end of the inlet tube is provided with a drain opening 36 closed by a threaded plug 37, the removal of which will permit the inlet tube as well as all the other tubes to be easily drained of the stale fluid. The distributor is also perforated at its bottom. A n 4 The invention having been set forth, what is claimed is:

1. A multiple section cooling coil, each section comprising opposite heads, cooling tubes connecting the heads, an inlet tube conecting the heads at one end thereof, one of the cooling tubes at the other end of the coil terminating in an outlet, one of the heads adjacent the inlet tube having an inlet pipe adapted to be connected to a source of fluid supply, a distributor concentrically spaced within the inlet tube for a distance of the greater of the inlet tube, said distributor having perforations in its Wall through which the fluid to be cooled may pass to the exterior of the distributor and within the inlet tube, the inner end of the distributor being closed so that the force with which the fluid strikes the closed end, causes the fluid to foam, and additionally foam in passing through the perforations, hence allowing the uid to easily cool, the cooling effect being derived from a cooling medium exteriorly of the tubes.

2. A cooling coil comprising opposed heads, a plurality of cooling tubes deriving a cooling effect from an exterior cooling medium and connecting the heads, an inlet tube at one end of the coil for receiving the iluid to be cooled, means in the inlet tube for generating a highly foamy condition to the fluid, whereby the fluid may more readily and easily derive a cooling action during -its undulated course of circulation from one cooling tube to another, and an outlet connected to the coil in communication with a cooling tube at the other end thereof.

3. A cooling coil comprising opposed heads, a plurality of cooling tubes deriving a'cooling effect from an exterior cooling medium and connecting the heads, an inlet tube at one end of the coil for receiving the fluid to be cooled, means in the inlet tube for generating a highly foamy condition to the fluid, whereby the fluid may more readily and easily derive a cooling action during its undulated course of circulation from one cooling tube to another, and an outlet connected to the coil in communication with a cooling tube at the other end thereof, both heads having means for closing said tubes, and by the removal of said means the tubes can be easily washed out and cleaned from one end to the other by a brush.

4. A cooling coil comprising opposed heads, a plurality`of cooling tubes deriving a cooling effect from an exterior cooling medium and connecting the heads, an inlet tube at one end of the coil for receiving the fluid to be cooled, means in the inlet tube for generating a highly foamy condition to the fluid, whereby the uid may more readily and easily derive a cooling action during its undulated course of circulation from one cooling tube to another, and an outlet connected to the coil in communication with a cooling tube at the other end thereof, said foam generating means comprising a tubular perforated distributor concentrically spaced within the inlet tube and having inlet connection with a source of supply.

5. A cooling coil comprising opposed heads, a plurality of cooling tubes deriving a cooling effect from an exterior cooling medium and connecting the heads, an inlet tube at one end of the coil for receiving the fluid to be cooled, means in the inlet tube for generating a highly foamy condition to the fluid, whereby the fluid may more readily and easily derive a cooling action during its undulated course of circulation from one cooling tube to another, and an outlet connected to the coil in communication with a cooling tube at the other end thereof, both heads serving as means for closing said tubes, and by the removal of said means the tubes can be easily washed out and cleaned from one end to the other by a brush, said foam generating means comprising a tubular perforated distributor concentrically spaced within the inlet tube and having inlet connections with a source of supply.

6. A cooling coil comprising opposed heads, a plurality of cooling tubes deriving a cooling effect from an exterior cooling medium and connecting the heads, an inlet tube at one end of the coil for receiving the fluid to be cooled, means in the inlet tube for generating a highly foamy condition to the uid, whereby the fluid may more readily and easily derive a cooling action during its undulated course of circulation from one cooling tube to another, and an outlet connected to the coil in communication with a cooling tube at the other end thereof, said foam generating means comprising a tubular perforated distributor concentrically spaced within the inlet tube and havinginlet connections with a source of supply, said tubular perforated distributor having a spiral exterior rib acting to partially divide the expelled foamy fluid and retard the same in its course through the space between the distributor tube and the inlet pipe.

7. A`cooling coil comprising opposed heads, a plurality of cooling tubes deriving a cooling eiect from an exterior cooling medium and connecting the heads, an inlet tube at one end of the coil for receiving the uid to be cooled, means in the inlet tube for generating a highly foamy condition to the fluid, whereby the fluid may more readily and easily derive a cooling action during its undulated course of circulation from one cooling tube to another, and an outlet connected to the coil in communication with a cooling tube at the other end thereof, said foam generating means comprising a tubular perforated distributor concentrically spaced within the inlet tube and having inlet connections with a source of supply, said tubular perforated distributor having a spiral exterior rib acting to partially divide the expelled foamy fluid and retard the same in its course through the space between the distributor tube and the inlet pipe, the lower end of the distributor tube having a removable cap or cover, upon the interior face of which the fluid impinges for insuring the generation of foam in the fluid, one end of the inlet tube having a plug closed drain opening.

VINZENT RUDOLF ROSTEK.

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